She heard the door open, signalling Travis’ return.
“Scarlett?”
“I’m in here.” She croaked.
Travis knelt directly in front of the cubicle and passed a pack of sanitary towels under the door.
“Henry said you’d need these.” He began. “He’s gonna need to check… well, you know. At some point.”
“I know.”
“Need any help?”
She didn’t answer, she couldn’t. Travis passed some fresh clothes under the door and Scarlett took them before peeling her blood-soaked vest off over her head.
She cleaned herself up as best she could and slipped the new jeans on before finally emerging. Travis helped with the rest of her clothes. She looked directly at him and tried to tell him, but the words wouldn’t come out.
He took her back into the warehouse where Jack and Henry were waiting for her.
“Scarlett, I’m so sorry, but I’m going to need you back on the table.” Henry began. “You’re still at risk, so we need to get more blood into you as soon as possible.”
“No, please. I can’t take anymore right now.” She responded. “I feel fine. We can start again tomorrow.”
“But, Scarlett--”
Travis stopped him, shaking his head.
“Please, let her be and I’ll talk to her after some food.”
* * *
Hours later, the residents of the warehouse were starting to find their corners. Scarlett had no hope of sleeping, she daren’t. She’d seen enough people turn to know that she didn’t have long; it’d already been several hours. The next stage was fever and loss of vision, so Scarlett went in search of Hope for one last look. Hope was sleeping in the Wendy house and Scarlett crept in on her knees and watched her, stroking her hair.
“I love you, Hope.” She whispered. “I love you so much. I’m sorry I don’t get to see you grow up… but at least I know that with your Daddy by your side, you will grow up. Goodnight, sweetheart.”
Scarlett took herself to the office that Travis had destroyed earlier that day. She wanted to see him too, but he would know that something was wrong. It hurt that she couldn’t touch him again; she could let him hold her or kiss her. She was too much of a danger to him now.
She sat on the desk and drew her pistol from her boot, screwing the suppressor to the barrel, ready to put herself down. Scarlett had always wondered whether she was capable of committing suicide, but thinking about it at that moment, it was either that or endanger the lives of all the people she loved.
Scarlett opened the desk drawer to the right of her and retrieved a pen and notepad. Her eyes stung and, trying to blink away the pain, she started to write.
* * *
Travis couldn’t sleep without Scarlett next to him. He stood and searched the warehouse for her, leading him to the offices. He peered into each individual window, whispering her name. He came to the office he had been in earlier. Stepping inside, he noticed Scarlett’s pen teetering on the edge of the table and her note on the floor. Travis picked it up and began reading, sliding further down the wall as he read.
Travis,
You’re probably wondering where I am. I had to leave. I’m sorry. I was bitten today at the hospital. I’m sorry it had to end this way, but it’s like I said; it had to. You’ve always been so protective - always worried I’ll get hurt. Please don’t come for me. This is something that can’t be fixed. You can’t save my life this time. Pretty soon, I’ll be in no more pain. Nothing will be able to hurt me anymore.
Always keep Hope close. I know we’ve always been the ones to provide for everyone, but not now. We can’t have each other’s backs anymore. Don’t listen to Riley; he’ll suggest the two of you going out on supply runs. I love him, but he can’t even remember to take the right calibre ammo for his piece.
Hope needs her Daddy with her, by her side, always. Teach her everything you know, let her pick up your red-neck twang, encourage her to keep learning from Henry. When she’s old enough, give her your old bow and show her how to use it. Sing to her every single day, no matter how out of tune you are, she’ll think it’s beautiful. And make sure she knows just how much her Mama loved her. Tell her that the two of you were my entire world; that you were the two reasons for me to go on surviving.
I love you, more than you could ever know. You are and have always been a good man, though you may not believe it. I’ve always been able to see it. I’m not ashamed to admit the effect you’ve always had on me, Travis. I can remember every word you’ve ever said to me. Every look you’ve ever given me. And I remember every tiny feeling, every shred of fear when I realised who you were to me.
I know right now you’re probably wondering how you’ll go on. But, you’ll go on, you hear me? I don’t care how, you’ll just fucking go on…
Thank you for stopping me from ever putting pineapple in my mouth again, even when the alternative was cat food. Thank you for sharing your pot with me. Oh, and I’m sorry for that time that I almost killed you in my sleep.
Above all else, I want you to know that this is not your fault. I’ve always put myself in ridiculous situations. I went with you today because I wanted to. My choice. So, don’t ever blame yourself.
Your crazy fuckin’ bitch,
Scarlett X
Travis stared blankly at the note in his hand, considering his options.
His first thought was that of the pain he was experiencing; the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He thought about turning his weapon on himself and ending it all. All the heartbreak which, a few years ago, he never even dreamed he would experience. And then he thought about Hope. His beautiful daughter and Scarlett’s legacy. Their contribution to the future.
He quickly decided to honour Scarlett’s memory by doing what she’d asked of him in her final moments.
But he would do it in his own way and on his terms.
After folding the note and slipping it into his back pocket, he stood, left the room and closed the door.
Back in the warehouse, Travis stuffed some supplies into his holdall, choosing only to take his crossbow and hunting knife for protection.
Outside, he loaded the back of a black saloon car before tiptoeing back in for Hope.
On his hands and knees, Travis crawled into the Wendy house where his daughter slept and gently woke her up. She frowned at him and looked as though she was going to cry.
“Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. You can sleep in the car.”
He scooped her up, still bundled in her blankets, and made silently for the vehicle.
Placing Hope gently on the back seat with her blankets, Travis opened the gate just enough to drive through it. Once on the other side, he soundlessly closed it again and began driving away from the warehouse.
About a mile down the road, Hope began to cry. Travis glanced at her in the rear-view mirror before stopping the vehicle and turning to face her. She was grasping her pink, fluffy blanket to her mouth while tears rolled down her cheeks.
Travis gawkily climbed into the back and his daughter quickly cuddled up to him, sitting herself down on his lap and leaning on his chest, still sobbing.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Travis said calmly. “I know it’s late and you’re sleepy, but we’re just goin’ on a little adventure.” Hope continued to cry and Travis took a deep breath so as not to join her. “Hey, hey, come on.”
“I want Mama.” The little girl bawled.
Travis’ breath caught in his throat on hearing Hope talk about her. Then he remembered what Scarlett had said about Hope in her letter. Taking another deep breath and clearing his throat, he began to sing to her.
“You’ve got to hold on, hold on. You gotta hold on. Take my hand, stay right here, you gotta hold on…” his voice was uneven and discordant, but Hope was instantly soothed. “Well he gave her a dime store watch, and a ring made from a spoon. Everyone’s looking for someone to blame. When you share my bed you share my name. Well go ahead and call the co
ps. You don’t meet nice girls in coffee shops. She said ‘baby, I still love you’. Sometimes there’s nothin’ left to do, oh. But you’ve gotta hold on, hold on. You gotta hold on. Take my hand, stay right here, you gotta hold on…”
Hope fell asleep and Travis carefully laid her back down and stepped out of the car. His eyes pricked with the threat of insistent tears as he ran his hands through his hair. He could hold it back no longer. Sliding down the car and onto the cold ground, Travis began to weep uncontrollably. His sobs came loud and hard, almost choking him with every laboured breath he took. His hands were shaking and his chest hurt, and he sat there, deaf to everything except the sound of his own anguish pouring out, until he had no more tears to shed.
Once he’d finished, he resumed his position in the driver’s seat and began his despairing drive to wherever it was that he and his daughter would wind up.
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Coming Soon
Roamers II
Thanks for taking the time to read my first novel! Keep reading for a sneak peek of Roamers II!
Velveteen Viper
Roamers II
Chapter One:
Scarlett
Night had dropped in Newhill like a heavy curtain and the stars in the black velvet sky shone furiously, each one filling just the right amount of empty space. Ghostly, ribbon-like clouds were rolling over the full moon and each crater on its bright face was visible. The moon, the stars, the streaming clouds; everything glowed with its own menacing light.
Scarlett ambled for what she estimated to be about a mile and a half. With the warehouse out of sight, she slumped to the ground and retrieved the pistol from her boot, attaching the suppressor.
She felt an overwhelming fatigue as she sat on the curb, with her arms resting on her knees and the gun hanging limply from her right hand.
Waiting. That was all she could do; wait.
She wanted to wait for as long as she could before turning her weapon on herself.
Scarlett lifted her head and observed the area. The darkness made her feel isolated and vulnerable, sitting at the edge of the road. Trembling in the cold air, she crawled toward a tree and wilted against it, feeling slightly less exposed, and continued to anticipate her end.
Travis
Travis looked in the rear-view mirror and observed his sleeping daughter sprawled across the back seat. He drove slowly and without any thought for his destination.
He wanted to find another place like the warehouse where he and Hope could start afresh. But those places were few and far between now and Travis knew it.
He continued to drive away from the warehouse, and in the opposite direction to the cottage. It had crossed his mind to go back there; with just the two of them it could be more sustainable, but there were too many ghosts. Too many painful memories. There were more good memories than bad, Travis had to admit. Though Scarlett was at the centre of them all and, at that moment in time, he didn’t want to think about her. But everything reminded him of her. Most of all, Hope. Her long, dark hair, her voice, even her mannerisms and facial expressions.
They’d discovered the cottage together, just before Travis learned that he was going to be a father. And then he had the secret joy of watching Scarlett’s belly grow and listening to her complaining that she was bored. He had helped to deliver their baby in the middle of the woods. He was the first to hold their daughter, watched and waited desperately for her take her first breath. He’d been accepted by the others as Hope’s father. They had the security for three years to raise her in the cottage. He didn’t want to forget any of it, even the bad, but he couldn’t relive it every day without Scarlett by his side.
After two hours of driving, according to the in-car clock, Travis felt his eyes grow heavy. He’d barely slept over the previous few days with everything that had happened. He slowed the vehicle to a stop and checked his surroundings. The area seemed safe enough, so he eased his seat back to lie as flat as possible, and shut his eyes.
Roamers (Book 1) Page 28